Jury acquits man who hit wife during fight

Lawyer: Bethlehem Township client "didn't mean to hurt her.'

A Northampton County jury acquitted Erdman G. Brauchle, who admitted he hit his wife but said he did so only after she assaulted him for about an hour.

The jury deliberated about seven hours Wednesday before returning its verdict. President Judge Robert A. Freedberg likewise acquitted Brauchle of a summary harassment charge.

"We're certainly very happy with the verdict," said attorney James Connell of Bethlehem, who represents Brauchle, 44, of 3331 Shelton Ave., Bethlehem Township. "It's the right verdict."

Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Taschner said only, "The jury rendered its verdict, and I respect that."

Brauchle was charged after a melee at his home April 28. Debra Brauchle told the jury that she was hysterical and trying to hurt her husband. She said Brauchle didn't strike back until she hit him in the back with the heel of her hand.

Brauchle told the jury his wife's kicking left him with bloody shins, and she hit him 20 to 30 times but he didn't seek medical treatment. Debra Brauchle said her husband hit her three times in a flurry. She suffered a fractured eye socket and bruised ribs.

Taschner in her closing argument told the jury that under the law, Brauchle had no right to hit his wife as hard as he did, because she had not injured him.

Connell countered that Debra Brauchle's testimony proved that she started the fight. "Remember," Connell said. "He took her pummeling for an hour or so." When Debra Brauchle landed the blow to the back, Connell said, "he reacted instantly. He's not pleased by that. He's embarrassed."

The fight, the Brauchles said, started in the family room. After the initial beating that Debra Brauchle delivered, Brauchle went to the garage to have a cigarette. Debra Brauchle was in the kitchen and hit him in the back as he walked back inside.

Connell said Brauchle's reaction was reasonable, because "now they're in the kitchen. Is she going to take a frying pan and hit him over the head? He doesn't know."